LINE DRIVES THE NATIONAL COLLEGIATE WRITERS NEWSLETTER (Volume 47, No. 2, Feb. 21, 2008)

The President’s Message By NCBWA President Shamus McKnight

Membership:

Opening day is finally here. Programs from coast to coast have been working toward this day since the start of the school year. All the work in fall drills, winter conditioning and preseason practice is finally realized across the country as they step onto the diamond to begin a new season. For fans, the start of the year is another sign that warmer weather is around the corner. Hope springs eternal for every club that dreams of spending late June in Omaha for the College .

As the season begins, I also wanted to take time to thank the fellow officers for their work on the preseason All-America team and for Joe Dier for his work on the Stopper of the Year list. Those lists take quite a bit of time to compile, but in the end is worth it because it allows us the chance to honor some truly worthy student-athletes. As a reminder, we will begin naming the Pro-Line Athletic National Players of the Week next Monday. We want to thank Pro-Line Athletic for their continued support in sponsoring this award.

With the thank you’s being said, we also just mailed out the 2008 NCBWA Membership Directories, and a special thanks to officers Julie St. Cyr, Russ Anderson and Mike Montoro for tremendous work and preparation of the directory.

Again, good luck to all, and "Play Ball: 2008 Style" Friday!

Shamus McKnight NCBWA President

Longtime NCBWA President, Snypp Award Winner Tom Price Dies Tom Price, sports information director for 30 years at the University of South Carolina, passed away on Fri., Feb. 1, 2008, at the age of 81 in Columba, S.C.

Price was affiliated with the University of South Carolina since 1962 and served in an emeritus capacity from 1992 to 2008. He was inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.

Price graduated from South Carolina in 1951 with a degree in journalism and joined the athletic department in 1962 after 11 years in wire service journalism. He served as sports information director from 1962 to 1985 and as assistant athletics director/media relations until 1992. He continued to serve the athletic department until his passing in an emeritus capacity and as athletic department historian. Price also was the official scorer for the South Carolina baseball home games and served as analyst on the Gamecock Radio Network for road games.

Price was inducted into College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Hall of Fame in 1981. He received the CoSIDA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992 and, in 1993, won the CoSIDA Arch Ward Award, presented annually to a CoSIDA member who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of college sports information and who by his or her activities, has brought dignity and prestige to the profession.

Price was a former president of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and received the Wilbur Snypp Award from the NCBWA in 1982 for promotion and service to college baseball. Price was also the author of several books on Carolina football, basketball, baseball, and other sports.

NCBWA Announces 2008 Stopper of the Year Watch List Forty players have been named to the initial watch list for the fourth annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award.

The award is given to the top relief in NCAA Division I baseball.

With all five of the finalists for the 2007 honor having concluded their collegiate careers, a wide- open race for this year's Stopper of the Year Award in anticipated. Sam Houston State relief ace Luke Prihoda, a 24th-round draft pick and signee of the , claimed last year's award. Eight of the nominees were included in the 2008 NCBWA Preseason All-America Team announced by the organization in December.

Nineteen different conferences are represented on this year's talent-filled watch list, with the Pacific-10 Conference leading the way with five selections. The Big East and the Big 12 both have four each on this year's watch list while the Big Ten, SEC and the West Coast Conference are presented by three players each.

Nominations for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award were made by baseball sports information contacts. The initial list will be updated with a mid-season release the week of April 14, including national saves leaders. At the conclusion of the regular season, the Division I national saves leader and four other relief pitching standouts will be selected as finalists and released Wednesday, May 28, prior to the start of NCAA regional tournament competition.

The NCBWA's All-America Committee will then select the winner with this year's recipient to be announced Wednesday, June 4, before the opening of NCAA super regional play. Texas hurler J. Brent Cox won the inaugural Stopper of the Year Award in 2005, with Don Czyz of Kansas claiming the honor in 2006 and Luke Prihoda of Sam Houston State topping the field in 2007.

The NCBWA, founded in 1962, also presents the to the nation's top player in addition to naming a Division I All-America Team, Division I and Division III Players of the Week, Division I District Players of the Year and Division III Players of the Year.

For additional information on the 2008 NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award, please contact Joe Dier at Mississippi State (662-325-8040).

2008 NCBWA STOPPER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST PITCHER SCHOOL CL. HOMETOWN Brian Alas Richmond Jr. Port Washington, N.Y. David Anderson Coastal Carolina So. Lexington, S.C. Jason Buursma Bucknell Sr. Seattle, Wash. Kyle Carr (LHP) Minnesota Jr. Linton, N.D. Nick Cassavechia Baylor Sr. Dallas, Texas Daniel Edwards Kansas State Sr. Kingwood, Texas Robbie Elsemiller Stetson Sr. Okeechobee, Fla. Tim Erickson (LHP) Lamar Sr. Sour Lake, Texas Danny Farquhar UL-Lafayette Jr. Pembroke Pines, Fla. Jordan Flasher George Mason Jr. Manassas, Va. Bryant George Southern Illinois So. DuQuoin, Ill. Missouri So. Greenfield, Ind. Matt Gorgen California Jr. Clayton, Calif. A.J. Griffin San Diego So. El Cajon, Calif. Jake Hale Ohio State Jr. Albany, Ohio James Hayes Rider So. Sunrise, Fla. Ross Humes (LHP) Wash. State Jr. Federal Way, Wash. Jason Jarvis Arizona State So. Scottsdale, Ariz. Matt Karl (LHP) Connecticut Jr. Wallingford, Conn. Joe Kelly UC Riverside So. Corona, Calif. Dan Kennedy Georgetown Sr. West Orange, N.J. Jeff Lockwood (LHP) Tennessee So. Knoxville, Tenn. Jeff Lombard Santa Clara Sr. Woodinville, Wash. Colin Lynch St. John's Jr. Manchester, N.H. Chris Manning Belmont Jr. Nashville, Tenn. Eryk McConnell NC State Sr. Waynesville, N.C. Drew O'Neil Penn State Jr. Roswell, Ga. Shawn Sanford USF So. Cinnamison, N.J. Cody Satterwhite Ole Miss Jr. Jackson, Miss. (LHP) Arizona Jr. Lone Tree, Colo. Michael Seander Duke So. Pawtucket, R.I. Brian Shaw Long Beach State Sr. Livermore, Calif. Matt Shoemaker Eastern Michigan Jr. Trenton, Mich. David Slovak Delaware Sr. Louisville, Ky. Cole St. Clair (LHP) Rice Sr. Santa Ana Calif. Jason Stoffel Arizona So. Agoura, Calif. Kyle Thebeau Texas A&M Jr. Corpus Christi, Texas Pat Venditte (LHP/RHP) Creighton Sr. Omaha, Neb. Aaron Weatherford Mississippi State Jr. Crystal Springs, Miss. Mark Willinsky Santa Clara So. Las Vegas, Nev.

Preseason Top 25 Division I Poll for ’08

Rk School 1. UCLA 2. Arizona 3. Vanderbilt 4. Ole Miss 5. 6. Missouri 7. Oregon State 8. Michigan 9. Arizona State 10. Miami (Fla.) 11. San Diego 12. South Carolina 13. Long Beach State 14. Rice 15. Baylor 16. Texas 17. Virginia 18. Fresno State 19. Louisiana-Lafayette 20. Wichita State 21. Texas A&M 22. Tulane 23. Clemson 24. East Carolina 25. Old Dominion

Preseason Black College Baseball Poll February 11, 2008 http://blackcollegebaseball.com/POLLS/2008/021108_preseason.htm

COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY 1. Prairie View A&M (7 first place votes) 2. Bethune Cookman (9) 3. Southern University 4. North Carolina A&T (2) 5. Jackson State 6. Norfolk State 7. Savannah State 8. Mississippi Valley State 9. Alcorn State 10. Delaware State

NCBWA Preseason Division II Poll Bob McCommas from Slippery Rock State and NCBWA board member is coordinating the NCBWA Division II baseball polls for the seventh consecutive year. The compilation by a panel of national polls will run through the week after the DII championship. The ’08 preseason poll follows.

Rank School '07 Record (1st) Points Last Week 1 Tampa (Fla.) 53-10 11 275 -- 2 Columbus State (Ga.) 51-19 -- 229 -- 3 Mesa State (Colo.) 49-14 -- 225 -- 4 Angelo State (Texas) 51-20 -- 223 -- 5 Franklin Pierce (N.H.) 49-11 -- 218 -- 6 Florida Southern 44-16 -- 196 -- 7 Central Missouri 51-12 -- 192 -- 8 Abilene Christian 47-13 -- 169 -- 9 Grand Valley State (Mich.) 45-9 163 -- Tusculum (Tenn.) 50-14 -- 163 -- 11 Mount Olive (N.C.) 49-13 -- 157 -- 12 Georgia College & St 46-16 -- 155 -- 13 Delta State (Miss.) 45-16 -- 143 -- 14 West Chester (Pa.) 33-17 -- 133 -- 15 Southern Indiana 43-23 -- 114 -- 16 Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) 50-10 -- 98 -- 17 Nebraska-Omaha 37-24 -- 96 -- 18 Cal State Chico 47-15 -- 88 -- 19 UC San Diego 37-25 -- 84 -- 20 Minnesota State 45-10 -- 62 -- 21 Sonoma State (Calif.) 50-12 -- 52 -- 22 Slippery Rock (Pa.) 35-17 -- 48 -- 23 Cal State L.A. 45-17-1-- 43 -- 24 SIU-Edwardsville 37-17 -- 35 -- 25 Kutztown (Pa.) 49-7 -- 34 --

Others Receiving Votes: Emporia State (Kan.) 28, Francis Marion (S.C.) 26, Montevallo (Ala.) 21, Armstrong Atlantic State (Ga.) 17, Adelphi (N.Y.) 16, West Alabama 15, West Virginia State 14, Barry (Fla.) 9, Saint Edward's (Texas) 9, Ashland (Ohio) 7, Bryant (R.I.) 5, North Georgia 5, South Carolina-Aiken 3, Lynn (Fla.) 2, Massachusetts-Lowell 2, California (Pa.) 1.

NCBWA and NCBWA-D3Baseball Denote Preseason DIII Poll The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association continues its tradition of NCAA polls with the inaugural NCBWA-D3baseball.com Preseason Division III Poll. Weekly polls will start on February 25 and continue through June 2, following the NCAA Division III Championship in Grand Chute, Wisconsin.

The poll voters come from 25 college baseball writers, sports information directors and related media persons from throughout the nation.

Cortland State has received the No. 1 preseason nod in the inaugural NCBWA-D3baseball.com Preseason Division III Poll. Cortland States returns an experienced pitching staff headed by George Jweid and a potent offense anchored by preseason All-American Mike Zaccardo. Kean is the defending NCAA Division III champion and is No. 3 in the pre-2008 NCBWA survey.

Rank School (first place votes) Conference 2007 Record Final 2007 Ranking 1 Cortland State (6) SUNYAC 42-7 2 2 Chapman (2) Independent 41-8 5 3 Kean (10) NJAC 43-8 1 4 Wooster (5) NCAC 42-7 10 5 Emory UAA 43-10 26 6 Wisc.-Stevens Point WIAC 34-17 3 7 Eastern Conn. State Little East 38-12 8 8 Johns Hopkins Centennial 38-11 12 9 Carthage (1) CCIW 37-13 6 10 Marietta OAC 32-17 7 11 Wisc.-Oshkosh WIAC 35-12 13 12 Pacific Lutheran NWC 35-9 9 13 St Thomas (Minn.) (1) MIAC 30-11 17 14 College of New Jersey NJAC 34-11 14 15 Wheaton (Mass.) NEWMAC 34-13 11 16 Texas-Tyler ASC 37-1 nr 17 Texas Lutheran ASC 37-10-1 15 18 Augustana CCIW 35-14 22 19 Illinois Wesleyan CCIW 32-13 26 20 Otterbein OAC 32-13 20 21 Ithaca Empire 8 27-15 21 22 Luther IIAC 31-11 16 23 Trinity (Conn) NESCAC 30-8 19 24 Ferrum USA South 27-18 18 25 Keene State Little East 32-15 29 Others receiving votes and named on more than 1 ballot (listed alphabetically): Averett, DeSales, Edgewood, George Fox, Frostburg State, Gwynedd-Mercy, Hampden Sydney, Keystone, Manhattanville, McMurry, Methodist, Millsaps, Montclair State, Mount St, Joseph, Ohio Wesleyan, Oneonta State, Pomona-Pitzer, RPI, Rhodes, Rowan, St, John Fisher, St. Joseph (Maine), St. Olaf.

Major College Baseball Rules Changes for 2008

Rule 1-14-f, Jackets. The committee voted to: “…allow a jacket, which includes the team’s official logo, in the coaching boxes if it is consistent with the team’s uniform color and apparel. If both coaches opt to wear a jacket, the jackets must be uniform.” Rationale: The committee would like coaches to wear the official game jersey as the first preference. However, the committee understands that some coaches prefer to wear a jacket over the jersey and this alteration allows that, but places some restrictions on the type and requires that a team logo be on the apparel.

Rule 1-16-c, Eligible Players. Add to this rule: “During a game, no one except eligible players in uniform….shall occupy a team’s dugout or bullpen.” Rationale: This alteration makes the rules book consistent with what has been a championship policy – and generally accepted practice – for years.

Rule 2, Ejections. The committee adjusted the penalty for pitchers that receive a post-game ejection. It will read: “If a pitcher receives a post-game ejection for unsportsmanlike actions, the pitcher will receive a four game suspension.” Rationale: This consistently punishes pitchers who commit an act worthy of an ejection after the game is completed. This rule only applies to post-game ejections.

Rule 4-1-a, Bat and Helmet Checks. The committee decided to take this duty out of the hands of the umpires. Coaches will be asked to certify that all bats and helmets are legal during the pre- game meeting. Rationale: The committee’s reasoning is two-fold. First, the committee does not believe having umpires enter both dugouts to check bats and helmets for legality starts the relationship in the right way between coaches and umpires. Secondly, since all NCAA bats are certified, very few bats are deemed illegal. Additionally, teams do not always make all bats and helmets available to umpires during pre-game activities. Coaches currently have the right to challenge a bat as illegal and they continue to have this right.

Rule 4-4-a, Pre-game Meeting. “The head coach, during the first game of a weekend series or any non-conference game, must attend the pre-game plate conference.” Rationale: To ensure the umpires are aware who the head coach is before a series and/or non- conference contest.

Rule 7-2, 7-2-c-(1), 7-2-(2)-a-b, . The committee made several revisions to this rule: Revise 7-2-c-(1) to read: “If the DH is not the pitcher and the DH or the pitcher is moved to a defensive position, this move may be made anytime.” Revise 7-2-(2)-(a) to read: “Upon his removal from the pitching position, he may be immediately inserted as the DH; the pitcher may not reenter the game in any other capacity.” Add A.R.: “At any time, before the pitcher’s removal as the game pitcher, he may pinch run or pinch for only the DH and become the DH.” In 7-2-c-(2)-(b): Delete “while on defense.” Insert, “At any time, 1) be moved…” Highlight the last sentence of 7-2-c-(2)-(b): “There is no loss of the DH but the player may not reenter the contest in any other capacity.” Revise 7-2-(5)-(b) to read: “The DH may be moved to a defensive position at any time.”

Rule 8-2-d-(2)-A.R., Hit By Pitch. Delete the wording: “makes no attempt to avoid the pitch” in this approved ruling. Rationale: This eliminates a contradiction in the ruling in comparison with the actual rule. The committee did not alter any other wording in this section. The committee is emphasizing, through umpire instruction that the batter must attempt to avoid the pitch to be awarded first base.

Rule 8-3-g-(1)-(2), Ball In/Out of Play. Add to this section: “(3) The call is a delayed dead ball. Any attempt to advance beyond those that would be awarded is at the runner’s own risk.” Rationale: Provides for clearer understanding of this rule.

8-6-b-(3), Appeals. Revise the second sentence to read: “In the case of multiple appeals, if the defense errs during its first appeal attempt or any base runner advances, the defense loses its right to appeal any runner at any base.” Rationale: Clarifies what has been the standard practice in both the NCAA & codes.

Rule 9-1-a-(1)-(c); 9-1-e; 9-1-e, A.R., Pitching. Alter this rule to add the phrase, “and placing the pivot foot on the ground behind the rubber” (appropriate to context below).

9-1-a-(1)-(c): “Disengage from the pitching rubber by stepping back off the rubber and placing the pivot foot on the ground behind the rubber before separating the hands (or stepping back with the free foot).”

9-1-e: “The pitcher, upon breaking contact with the pitcher’s rubber by stepping backward and placing the pivot foot on the ground behind the rubber becomes an …”

9-1-e, A.R.: “To ‘step off’ the pitcher’s rubber, the pitcher must 1) step backward and place the pivot foot on the ground behind the rubber and 2)…” Rationale: Clarifies when the pitching restrictions end (when the pivot foot makes contact with the ground behind the rubber).

Rule 9-4-d, Pitching Changes. Revise to read: “A trip to the mound, which may include a conference with the , is concluded when a coach leaves the dirt circle or the pitcher begins his eight warm-up pitches.” Rationale: The committee believes this will give umpires better guidance to improve the pace of the game without limiting the coaching opportunities.

Official Preseason Conference Polls

Conference USA Coaches Pre-2008 Honors

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH Rank School (First Place Votes)-Pts. 1. Rice (8) 80 2. East Carolina (1) 61 3. Southern Miss 57 4. Tulane 52 5. Houston 38 Note: Conference USA lists just Nos. 1-5 in its preseason coaches surveys.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR Aaron Luna, Rice (Junior, Outfielder/Designated Hitter) PITCHER OF THE YEAR Ryan Berry, Rice (Sophomore, Righthander)

ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM P Ryan Berry, So., Rice P T.J. Hose, Sr., East Carolina P Shooter Hunt, Jr., Tulane RP Cole St.Clair, Sr., Rice C Adam Zornes, Sr., Rice IF Stephen Batts, Jr., East Carolina IF Jimmy Cesario, Jr., Houston IF , Jr., Southern Miss IF Trey Sutton, Sr., Southern Miss IF Kiko Vasquez, Jr., UCF OF Tyson Auer, Sr., UCF OF K.K. Chalmers, Sr., Memphis OF Harrison Eldridge, Sr., East Carolina DH Aaron Luna, Jr., Rice

Southeastern Conference

Eastern Division Team Pts. '07 SEC Rec/Finish 1) Vanderbilt (7) 62 22-8 / 1st 2) S.Carolina (3) 58 17-13 / 2nd 3) Kentucky (1) 42 13-16-1 / 5th 4) Georgia (1) 38 11-19 / 6th 5) Florida 29 15-15 / 3rd 6) Tennessee 18 13-15 / 4th

Western Division Team Pts. '07 SEC Rec/Finish 1) OIe Miss (10) 65 16-14 / 3rd 2) Mississippi State 47 15-13 / 2nd 3) Arkansas (2) 39 18-12 / 1st 4) Auburn 34 10-20 / 6th 5) LSU 33 12-17-1 / 5th 6) Alabama 29 15-15 / 4th ( ) - First Place Votes SEC Champion: Vanderbilt (5); Ole Miss (4); South Carolina (3)

Big 12

Rank Team (First place votes) Points 1. Texas (8) 80 2. Missouri (1) 71 3. Baylor (1) 65 4. Texas A&M 60 5. Oklahoma State 46 6. Nebraska 36 T7. Kansas State 30 T7. Oklahoma 30 9. Kansas 17 10. Texas Tech 15

MEAC Rank/Team Points (First Place Votes) MEAC Overall 1. Bethune-Cookman 180 points (10) 16-1 33-27 2. Delaware State 127 points (3) 10-8 22-27 3. North Carolina A&T 124 points 11-7 28-31 4. Norfolk State 106 points 9-8 25-25 5. Florida A&M 88 points 11-7 16-36 6. Maryland Eastern Shore 46 points 5-13 10-45 7. Coppin State 29 points (1) 0-18 0-44

Patriot League 1. Navy (4 first-place votes) 43 points 2. Lafayette (4) 42 3. Army (2) 37 4. Bucknell (2) 29 5. Lehigh 17 6. Holy Cross 12

Big South

Rk Team (first-place votes) Points 1. Coastal Carolina (8) 128 2. VMI 97 3. Liberty 96 4. Winthrop 88 5. High Point 61 6. UNC Asheville 56 T-7. Charleston Southern 25 T-7. Radford 25

Southland Conference

EAST DIVISION School (First place votes) Points 1. Lamar (7) ...... 62 2. Southeastern Louisiana (5) ...... 58 3. Northwestern State ...... 42 4. McNeese State ...... 39 5. Central Arkansas ...... 30 6. Nicholls State ...... 15 WEST DIVISION School (First place votes) Points 1. UTSA (8) ...... 63 2. Sam Houston State (2) ...... 53 3. Texas State (2) ...... 52 4. Stephen F. Austin ...... 30 5. A&M-Corpus Christi ...... 24 6. UT Arlington ...... 20

Summit League Rk Team (First place votes) Points 1. Oral Roberts (7) 49 2. Western Illinois 40 3. Centenary (1) 35 4. South Dakota State 31 5. Southern Utah 25 6. Oakland 21 7. North Dakota State 15 8. IPFW 8

Preseason All-Sun Belt Team and Selections SP - Danny Farquhar, Louisiana SP - Hunter Moody, Louisiana RP - Mike Obradovich, Florida Atlantic RP - Chris LaGrow, South Alabama C - David Doss, South Alabama 1B - Rawley Bishop, Middle Tennessee 2B - Johnny Giavotella, New Orleans SS - Terrence Dayleg, Western Kentucky 3B - T.J. Baxter, New Orleans OF - Mike McKenna, Florida Atlantic OF - Nolan Gisclair, Louisiana OF - Clint Toomey, South Alabama DH - Scott Hawkins, Louisiana Preseason Player of the Year - Johnny Giavotella, New Orleans Preseason Pitcher of the Year - Danny Farquhar, Louisiana

School Points Louisiana-Lafayette (11) 121 New Orleans 107 Troy 94 Florida Atlantic 81 Middle Tennessee 74 South Alabama 69 Western Kentucky 56 Louisiana-Monroe 45 Florida International 36 Arkansas State 28 UALR 15

Mountain West Conference & ’08 Preseason Team Rk Team (First place votes) Points 1. TCU (6) 60 2. BYU (3) 52 3. San Diego State 42 4. New Mexico 40 5. UNLV 26 6. Utah 23 7. Air Force 9

Pos. Name, Class Institution C Michael Brenly, Jr., UNLV 1B Kasey Ko, Jr., BYU; Matt Vern, Jr., TCU 2B Sean McNaughton, So., BYU; Matt Hibbitts, Sr., New Mexico 3B Steve Parker, So., BYU SS Bryan Kervin, Sr., TCU OF Kent Walton, Jr., BYU OF Brandon Glover, Sr., San Diego State OF Clint Arnold, Sr., TCU OF Corey Shimada, So., Utah P , So., San Diego State P Bobby LaFromboise, Sr., New Mexico UT/DH Nick Romero, Jr., San Diego State

USA Baseball’s 75-Man Pre-2008 Watch List (First Ever Preseason Selections)

Name Position School Preston Guilmet RHP Arizona Brendan Duffy OF Oral Roberts OF Arizona State Jorge Reyes RHP Oregon State Petey Paramore C Arizona State Mike Stutes RHP Oregon State 1B Arizona State Drew O'Neil RHP Penn State OF Arkansas Brett Hunter RHP Pepperdine Mike Bianucci OF Auburn Josh Lindblom RHP Purdue Beamer Weems SS Baylor Cole St. Clair LHP Rice 1B California Aaron Luna OF Rice Tyson Ross RHP California Ryan Berry RHP Rice Kiko Vazquez 1B Central Florida LHP San Diego Doug Hogan C Clemson Josh Romanski LHP/OF San Diego David Sappelt OF Coastal Carolina AJ Griffin RHP San Diego Pat Venditte LHP/RHP Creighton James Darnell 3B South Carolina Alex Buchholz SS Delaware 1B South Carolina Christian Friedrich LHP Eastern Kentucky Phil Disher C South Carolina Mike McKenna OF Florida Atlantic Cody Adams RHP Southern Illinois C Florida State Sean Ratliff LHP/OF Stanford Jack Rye OF Florida State Jordan Danks OF Texas RHP Fresno State Kyle Russell OF Texas SS Georgia Preston Clark C Texas Collin Cowgill OF Kentucky Blake Stouffer 2B Texas A&M Scott Green RHP Kentucky Roger Kieschnick OF Texas Tech Danny Farquhar RHP Louisiana Lafayette Shooter Hunt RHP Tulane Luke Burnett RHP Louisiana Tech Scott Gorgen RHP UC Irvine Jared Bradford RHP LSU Brandon Crawford SS UCLA 1B Miami Pedro Alvarez 3B Vanderbilt 2B Miami Dominic de la Osa OF Vanderbilt Zach Putnam RHP/OF/DH Michigan SS Vanderbilt RHP Mississippi Derek Shunk SS Villanova Cody Satterwhite RHP Mississippi David Adams 2B Virginia Brandon Turner 2B Mississippi State Jacob Thompson RHP Virginia RHP Missouri 1B Wake Forest Mitch Harris RHP/OF Navy Blake Murphy C Western Carolina Eric Surkamp LHP NC State 3B Wichita State Johnny Giavotella 2B New Orleans Aaron Shafer RHP Wichita State 1B/OF North Carolina Rob Musgrave LHP Wichita State Jordy Mercer RHP/SS Oklahoma State Jeremy Hamilton 1B Wright State Anthony Shawler RHP/1B Old Dominion

Rivals.com Preseason 2008 All-America First Team C Buster Posey (Florida State), Leesburg, Ga. (Lee County) 1B Yonder Alonso (Miami, Fla.), Coral Gables, Fla. (Coral Gables) 2B Blake Stouffer (Texas A&M), San Antonio, Texas (Alamo Heights) SS Ryan Flaherty (Vanderbilt), Portland, Maine (Deering) 3B Pedro Alvarez (Vanderbilt), New York, N.Y. (Horace Mann) OF Dominic de la Osa (Vanderbilt), Miami, Fla. (Archbishop Carroll) OF Tommy Baldridge (Coastal Carolina), Fort Mill, S.C. (Fort Mill) OF Kyle Russell (Texas), Tomball, Texas (Tomball) DH Brett Wallace (Arizona State), Sonoma, Calif. (Justin-Siena) UT Zach Putnam (Michigan), Ann Arbor, Mich. (Pioneer) SP Jacob Thompson (Virginia), Danville, Va. (Tunstall) SP Preston Guilmet (Arizona), Citrus Heights, Calif. (Oakmont) SP Brian Matusz (San Diego), Cave Creek, Ariz. (St. Mary's) SP Lance Lynn (Mississippi), Brownsburg, Ind. (Brownsburg) RP Pat Venditte (Creighton), Omaha, Neb. (Central) RP Cole St. Clair (Rice), Santa Ana, Calif. (Foothill)

Rivals.com All-America Second Team C Petey Paramore (Arizona State), Allen, Texas (Allen) 1B Justin Smoak (South Carolina), Goose Creek, S.C. (Stratford) 2B Johnny Giavotella (New Orleans), Harahan, La. (Jesuit) SS Beamer Weems (Baylor), Virginia Beach, Va. (Princess Anne) 3B James Darnell (South Carolina), Danville, Calif. (San Ramon Valley) OF Jack Rye (Florida State), Irvine, Calif. (Woodbridge) OF Aaron Luna (Rice), Southlake, Texas (Carroll) OF Mike Bianucci (Auburn), Fairfax, Va. (Woodson) DH Dustin Ackley (North Carolina), Walnut Cove, N.C. (North Forsyth) UT Josh Romanski (San Diego), Corona, Calif. (Norco) SP Scott Gorgen (UC Irvine), Concord, Calif. (Clayton Valley) SP Anthony Shawler (Old Dominion), Chesapeake, Va. (Oscar Smith) SP Tyson Ross (California), Oakland, Calif. (Bishop O'Dowd) SP Aaron Crow (Missouri), Wakarusa, Kan. (Washburn Rural) RP AJ Griffin (San Diego), El Cajon, Calif. (Grossmont) RP Matt Gorgen (California), Concord, Calif. (Clayton Valley)

2008 Division I Head Coaches Who Played in the Majors Research: Brian Hernandez, UTSA - , Princeton; Terry Burrows, McNeese State; Sherman Corbett, UTSA; , Rice; , San Diego State; Chad Kreuter, USC; Vance Law, BYU; John Pawlowski, College of Charleston; Steve Rodriguez, Pepperdine; Ed Sprague, Pacific; John Stuper, Yale; Tracy Woodson, Valparaiso; Robbie Wine, Penn State.

Milestones Baseball is the oldest varsity sport at Ohio State and celebrates its 125th season in 2008…East Carolina’s junior infielder Drew Schieber will wear ECU’s honorary No. 23 jersey during the 2008 season, according to head coach Billy Godwin. The No. 23 jersey, worn by the late ECU head coach Keith LeClair throughout his coaching and playing career, became an honorary number for the Pirate baseball program in 2003. Schieber, a tri-captain for the 2008 Pirates, played in 55 games (45 starts), batted .301 with six home runs, 22 RBI, 33 runs scored, and swiped 11-of-15 bases a year ago. This season, the two-year lettermen, is ECU's top utility man and could see action at anyone of four positions in the infield (catcher, second, shortstop and third).

Dave Yeast Resigns As NCAA Umpires Coordinator at End of ‘08 Dave Yeast, the NCAA national coordinator of baseball umpires since 1996, has resigned his position with the Association, effective immediately.

Yeast has decided to pursue other interests, which includes a return to umpiring.

"I am honored and humbled to have served the NCAA and college baseball for eleven years and appreciate the opportunity to grow our officiating program," Yeast said. "I look forward to its continued growth and will work to assure a smooth transition to the new national coordinator. More than anything I am proud to have helped umpires across the country reach their goals and improve the level of officiating in college baseball.”

Prior to being named NCAA national coordinator of baseball, Yeast worked two NCAA and the baseball competition at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta as an umpire. In 1999, he was named International Baseball Federation Umpire of the Year. He helped the NCAA enhance its championship, overseeing the expansion from 48 to 96 officials when the College World Series grew from 48 to 64 teams in 1999. He was also instrumental in providing opportunities for first-time umpires to work the NCAA baseball championships, recommending 49 umpires work the College World Series and 149 umpires work the NCAA Regional round of the championship over the course of 11 years.

Yeast also helped the NCAA enhance its programs for officials in various sports. He assisted with implementing the NCAA's first rules testing program for sports officials and the first in-season officiating video bulletins. He was a key figure in implementing the NCAA's officiating The NCAA Baseball Committee will soon begin the process of hiring Yeast's successor. It is anticipated that this individual will be identified prior to the conclusion of the 2008 Division I Baseball Championship. Yeast will continue to support the NCAA' s umpire coordination needs as a consultant through the remainder of the 2008 baseball season.

Where Are They Now? The NCBWA is starting an occasional feature in the newsletter with “Where Are They Now?” updates on a number of college coaches, student-athletes and programs. This issue’s segment features the seven coaches who guided teams in the final season of Southwest Conference play in 1996. The updates include 1996 head coaching assignments and current status. They are Baylor – coach Steve Smith (still with the Bears); Houston – Raynor Noble (still head coach at UH); Rice – Wayne Graham (still at RU and guided the Owls to their first NCAA team championship in 2003); Texas – Cliff Gustafson (retired; admitted to the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006); Texas A&M – Mark Johnson (pushing the 1,000-win milestone and coaching at Sam Houston State); Texas Tech – Larry Hays (the Big 12 Conference’s longest single school tenured coach for 22 seasons at TTU). Please send any “Where Are They Now?” updates for future issues to Bo Carter ([email protected]).

NATIONAL COLLEGIATE BASEBALL WRITERS ASSOCIATION Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. Members receive a directory, newsletter updates and official votes in the Howser Award Player of the Year, Regional Player of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors preseason All-American awards, the Stopper of the Year Award, publication and writing contests. Additionally, the organization maintains a website at www.ncbwa.com. For membership, send annual dues ($20), along with mailing address, phone, fax and e-mail address information to Russell Anderson, NCBWA Associate Executive Director, c/o Conference USA, 5201 No. O’Connor Blvd., Suite 300, Irving, TX 75309.

NCBWA 2007-08 OFFICERS President: Shamus McKnight, Nebraska 402-472-7772 [email protected] 1st Vice President Joe Dier, Mississippi State 662-325-8228 [email protected] 2nd Vice President: Chuck Dunlap, Southeastern Conference 205-458-3010 [email protected] 3rd Vice President: Julie St. Cyr, Big West Conference 949-261-2525 [email protected] Executive Director: Bo Carter, National Football Foundation 972-556-1000 [email protected] Associate Executive Director: Russell Anderson, Conference USA 214-774-1351 [email protected] Assistant Executive Director: Mike Montoro, West Virginia 304-293-2821 [email protected] Division II Coordinator: Bob McComas, Slippery Rock 724-738-2777 [email protected] Division III Coordinator: Steve Marovich, Carthage College 262-551-5740 [email protected]

Board of Directors: Barry Allen, Alabama, 205-348-6084 ([email protected]); Tami Cutler, Wichita State, 316-978-5559 ([email protected]); Jason Leturmy, Florida State, 850-644-1403 ([email protected]); Kristie Le, ACC, 336-854-8787 ([email protected]); Ryan Bomberger, Liberty, 434-582-2292 ([email protected])

For more information contact NCBWA Associate Executive Director Russell Anderson (214-774-1351, [email protected]).

2008 MEMBERSHIP FORM ------PLEASE CLIP AND MAIL ------

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REMIT TO: Russell Anderson NCBWA Associate Executive Director c/o Conference USA 5201 N. O’Connor Blvd., Suite 300 Irving, TX 75039